Wanjira Mathai, from the World Resources Institute, advocates for processing Africa's resources locally to aid in the global shift toward a low-carbon future.
Processing locally can enhance income and reduce carbon emissions from transporting raw materials.
Mathai emphasizes that investing in local processing is crucial for building sustainable and resilient African economies.
Key quote:
“There’s a real opportunity in green industrialisation(...) We have to build resilience that is deep, that is anchored in wealth creation.”
— Wanjira Mathai, managing director for Africa and global partnerships at the World Resources Institute.
Why this matters:
Africa's abundant resources have historically fueled the global economy, yet little of the economic benefits from them has remained in the continent. Moving up in the value chain can foster economic independence and environmental sustainability for local communities.
This year, around 200,000 Germans will be driving electric vehicles. It will be a few years before those cars need to be scrapped. Hopefully, by then, the world will have figured out how to recycle them.
